Abstract
Although mountain regions are thought to be at lower risk of plant invasions, the diversity and cover of non-native plants is increasing in many alpine ecosystems, including the Andes. We reviewed vegetation surveys in Aconcagua Provincial Park in the dry Andes of Argentina to determine what non-native plants occur in the park and if their distribution is associated with tourism use. This high-altitude park is a popular tourism destination for hikers, with nearly all access by foot and pack animals (mules and horses) that are used for transport. Non-native plant diversity was low (21 species in the region, 16 species in the park) compared to some other mountain regions but included common mountain species from Europe, most of which can be dispersed by tourists and commercial operators on clothing and by pack animal dung. Nearly all non-native plants were restricted to lower altitudes, with no non-natives found above 3420 masl. Most non-native plants were restricted to sites disturbed by tourism use, particularly areas trampled by hikers and pack animals, except for 2 common non-native species, Taraxacum officinale and Convolvulus arvensis, which were also found in undisturbed vegetation. The relatively low cover and diversity of non-native plants at higher-altitude sites may reflect one or a combination of the following: climatic barriers, less human disturbance, and a lag in the dispersal of non-native species from lower altitudes within the park. This study highlights that even protected mountain areas with limited prior human use and nearly no road access can be invaded by non-native plants because of their popularity as mountaineer destinations. Management actions that could help minimize the further spread of non-native plants include limiting the introduction of non-native seeds on vehicles, clothing, and equipment and in dung; reducing trampling damage by restricting visitor use to designated trails; and restoring damaged sites.
Highlights
Non-native plants are a major threat to biodiversity conservation in many areas, including in many mountain ecosystems (McDougall et al 2011)
Mountain regions were thought to be at a lower risk of plant invasions, the diversity and cover of non-native plants is increasing in many protected mountain areas (Johnston and Pickering 2001; Pauchard and Alaback 2004; Pauchard et al 2009; McDougall et al 2010; Seipel et al 2012)
At least 14 species have been recorded as non-native species in other mountain regions, including 12 species in the Australian Alps, 10 species in the Blue Mountains of Oregon (USA), 7 species in the Rocky Mountains (USA), 9 species in South
Summary
Non-native plants are a major threat to biodiversity conservation in many areas, including in many mountain ecosystems (McDougall et al 2011). Impacts in mountains from non-native plant invasions include changing the dominant vegetation type from shrubs to trees, altering the tree line, changing habitat quality for animals, and competing with native species for pollinators (Pauchard et al 2009). These impacts are of particular concern because mountain regions have high levels of endemism and provide important ecosystem services to lowland regions (Korner 2004; Kollmair et al 2005). Unintentional introductions of non-native seeds can occur via seed carried on vehicles and other machinery; in introduced materials such as soil, hay, and mulch used in parks; on clothing; and on the fur and in the dung of pack animals
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